We are soon to exchange on the purchase of a house in Gloucestershire but as a result of damage from a small fire at the property I have was able negotiate reparation from the owner of six thousand pounds in the form of a adjustment in the price. I had intended this to be dealt with as part of amending the contract but will not permit this. Why were they approached?

Any being on the approved list is duty bound to disclose to of any amendments to the sale price. If you prohibit your to disclose the reduction to then they would have to discontinue acting for you. In addition, and you would have to appoint a new for your conveyancing in Gloucestershire.

The Gloucestershire conveyancing lawyers that I recently instructed on my house acquisition in Gloucestershire have without warning closed. I only went with them because I needed a solicitor on the conveyancing panel and my previous Gloucestershire lawyer was not. I gave my credit card details for them to take one hundred and fifty pounds for searches. What do I do now?

If you have an estate agent involved then inform them immediately so that they can let the sellers know that there may be a slight delay due to the problems encountered. Most sellers would be sympathetic and urge their lawyer to send a new set of papers to your new solicitors. You will need to appoint new lawyers that are on the conveyancing panel and notify the lender. If you have paid over any money, it will hopefully be held by the SRA as money in an intervened firm's bank accounts is transferred to the SRA. Then, the SRA or the intervention agent looks at the intervened firm's accounts to work out who the money belongs to. To claim your money you will need to contact the SRA. If the SRA cannot return money you are owed from the firm's bank accounts, or if they can only return part of the money, you can apply to the Compensation Fund for a grant. Your new solicitors may be able to assist.

My stepmother advised me that in buying a property in Gloucestershire there could be a number of restrictions preventing external changes to a property. Is this right?

We are aware of anumerous of properties in Gloucestershire which have some sort of restriction or requirement of consent to execute external alterations. Part of the conveyancing in Gloucestershire should determine what restrictions are applicable and advising you as part of a ROT that should be sent to you.

I had a mortgage agreed in principle with . Gloucestershire conveyancing practitioners are chosen. How long does it take for to forward the offer to the ?

Some lenders take longer than others. Have completed the valuation? Have you informed as to your lawyers' details and checked that your lawyers are on the conveyancing panel? It is not unusual for a mortgage offer to take a month to come through.

Completion of my remortgage has taken place for my property in Gloucestershire. Conveyancing was a necessary evil but I would like to complain about the lender. Who do I contact should I wish to lodge a complaint?

Almost all banks and building societies have complaints procedures. Your first port of call should be one of the lender’s branches or the Customer Care Department at head office. We understand that complaints to a lender are sorted out very quickly. However if you are not satisfied that the matter is not resolved you can write to Financial Ombudsman Service, South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SR who will take matters further.

Will my solicitor be raising questions about flooding as part of the conveyancing in Gloucestershire.

Flooding is a growing risk for conveyancers dealing with homes in Gloucestershire. Some people will acquire a house in Gloucestershire, fully aware that at some time, it may be flooded. However, aside from the physical damage, if a house is at risk of flooding, it may be difficult to get a mortgage, suitable building insurance, or sell the property. There are steps that can be taken during the course of a property purchase to forewarn the purchaser.

Solicitors are not best placed to offer advice on flood risk, however there are a various checks that can be initiated by the buyer or by their conveyancers which will figure out the risks in Gloucestershire. The standard property information forms given to a buyer’s lawyer (where the solicitors are adopting what is known as the Conveyancing Protocol) incorporates a standard inquiry of the owner to find out if the property has suffered from flooding. If flooding has previously occurred and is not notified by the seller, then a purchaser may commence a compensation claim as a result of such an inaccurate response. A buyer’s conveyancers will also commission an environmental report. This will higlight if there is any known flood risk. If so, additional inquiries should be carried out.

I pay a service charge for my appartment in Gloucestershire. As a result of personal circumstances I slipped into arrears with remittance. I negotiated a settlement schedule but there remains about £2000 remaining to be paid.

I now wish to sell and I am nervous that this can jeopardize the sale if I have to pay off the amount due in advance. Do I have to settle before - is this practicable?

The dealing with your Gloucestershire sale should be in a position to negotiate with the management company, and agree with them whether or not they would accept settlement from completion monies. Here is indicative of why it might be good to appoint a in Gloucestershire as they may well have an established relationship with the parties.